It's not without reason that the small periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a very popular choice when an evergreen ground cover is to be planted in the garden. The relatively undemanding plant also grows in fairly shady locations and multiplies quickly under favorable conditions.
How to plant Vinca Minor as a ground cover?
To plant Vinca Minor successfully, choose a semi-shady to shady location, prepare the soil thoroughly and plant 5-12 young plants 20-25 cm apart. Compost enrichment promotes growth as a ground cover.
Should you buy seeds or young plants of Vinca minor?
Since the periwinkle rarely fruits in Central Europe, the seeds of this plant are rather difficult to obtain. Usually, vegetatively propagated cuttings are purchased for planting in the garden.
Which locations are suitable for planting Vinca minor?
Garden corners with constant direct sunlight are very difficult for periwinkles to cope with. However, in semi-shady to shady locations, it sometimes quickly spreads out into a green carpet. Slopes can also be planted with Vinca minor, but they must not be too dry. A certain ability of the soil to store moisture is a prerequisite for the he althy growth of the small evergreen.
What should you consider when planting Vinca minor?
Before planting, the soil should be cleared of weeds and large stones. In addition, digging and loosening the soil later makes it easier for the evergreen to spread via self-rooting offshoots.
Should Vinca minor be preferred under glass?
Since growing from seeds is relatively complicated, sowing under glass can help maintain the right germination climate.
When can the small periwinkle be transplanted?
The best time for transplanting the small periwinkle is spring.
How does the propagation of the small periwinkle (Vinca minor) work?
There are a total of three options for targeted propagation of the small periwinkle:
- the sowing
- removing rooted offshoots
- rooting cuttings
For the last variant, simply cut off a few long shoots of the small evergreen in the spring in places where they would be out of place anyway. Then let them root in an evenly moist substrate.
When does the small periwinkle bloom?
The small periwinkle usually blooms between March and June.
At what distance should the small evergreen be planted as a ground cover?
With the small evergreen, around 5 to 12 young plants (depending on individual wishes and plant strength) are planted at a distance of around 20 to 25 cm from one another.
Tip
If the soil between the freshly planted young Vinca minor plants is loosened and enriched with compost, this facilitates the formation of a closed plant cover. Once there is a green carpet of Vinca minor, you no longer need to water the plants as often due to the shading of the soil, even in rather dry and partly sunny locations.
